Top things to do in Sydney, events & more
Just past the Sydney Opera House, you’ll find the expansive grounds of the The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. If you need a break from city life and crowds, head to the oasis of the botanic gardens. You can also walk around the gardens and see native and exotic plants throughout the garden. Taronga Zoo is a must-visit for families with teenagers in Sydney.
In summer, you can stop and swim at any of of the incredible beaches along the way. The walk ends in Bondi, where you can either eat at the world-famous Icebergs, or head to the beach to find a deliciously rich deep fried Mars Bar at the fish and chip shop (The kids will LOVE them). If you are a visitor trying to plan your itinerary, we are sure you will find plenty of ideas here to keep you busy. Take one of our self-guided tours and explore Sydney on a budget! We have created self-guided bus tours, street art walks, history tours and more. It is a great immersive theater day out for families, but to be honest I’ve enjoyed visiting it just as much as my toddler has.
You can take the 394 bus from museum in the city to La Perouse. La Perouse is a picturesque coastal area just 20 minutes south-east of the CBD. One of unique things to see here is Bare Island, a small islet with a fort built on it. The viewpoint from West Head is the start of the trail to Resolute and Mackerel Beach, one of our favourites. To get here, you can take a bus from the QVB building in the CBD or hire a car and drive (it's just under an hour north of the city).
Inside you’ll find even more beauty, including marble columns and stained glass windows. St. Mary’s is open to the public, and photography is allowed, except during celebrations and Masses. For those traveling with little ones, check out the SeaLife Aquarium, where you can explore themed zones like the Penguin Expedition, and view the largest Great Barrier Reef display in the world!
Whether you’re treasure hunting or simply browsing, there’s always something unique to discover. Using cutting-edge interactive technology, kangaroos bound past your kids, wombats waddle by, and other beloved Aussie creatures respond to their every movement in real-time. It’s a captivating way to spark curiosity about our unique wildlife and environment.
Madame Tussauds Sydney begins with a journey back into Australian history to see figures such as Captain Cook and the HMAS endeavour and famous outlaw Ned Kelly. Made famous worldwide with the help of social media, come along and capture an Instagram worthy pic with your favourite movie star, musician or popular figures. The Australian location can be found on the Darling Harbour foreshore welcoming visitors through its doors between 10am to 6pm daily. Pay a visit to this zany tourist attraction in Darling Harbour, Sydney and you can have your very own brush of fame mingling with the stars. Race past harbour front mansions and iconic sights for a ‘hot lap’ where you will be taken on 270-degree spins, speeds, slides and fishtails and wave jumping and surfing. Depending on the length of the scenic flight, you may also get the chance to fly over Bondi Beach, Taronga Zoo, Rose Bay and other popular city sights.
Taste Cultural Food Tours offer a unique culinary journey through the city's vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods. These guided tours provide an immersive experience, allowing participants to sample a diverse array of dishes from local eateries, markets and hidden gems. From the rich flavors of Asian cuisine in Haymarket to Mediterranean delicacies in Leichhardt, each tour highlights the influence of different diasporas on Sydney's food scene.
If you can't see the Figure 8 Pools at the top of Burning Palms Beach, don't go. If you’re looking for a stunning but easy trail, try the 5.3km Jibbon Beach walk or take a stroll out to the famous icon, Wedding Cake Rock. You can walk across the bridge and explore the cliffs, but the fort has always been closed when we visited.
It allows you to descend underwater and view marine creatures up close. It’s the perfect venue to introduce kids to sea life without getting wet. Take a walk on the wild side at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo located in Darling Harbour where you’ll be able to spot and learn about some of Australia's iconic native and endangered species.
From here, you’ll be rewarded for gorgeous views across Sydney Harbour. As well as the vessels, there’s plenty to see inside the museum through various exhibits. The permanent exhibits cover many topics including navigating and voyaging around Australia, migration to Australia and stories of Australia’s naval heritage.
We thought that the Opera House was too famous not to take a guided tour, that way we could make the most out of our experience! Bronte Beach is one of the closest beaches to Bondi, and it’s essentially a smaller version of its more famous neighbor. This is the beach that Bailey and I prefer to visit when we’re in Sydney, and it’s also where you’re most likely to meet locals.
Skip the parking hassle – our guide to reaching Sydney’s best beaches, famous and secret, by bus, train and ferry. Compare Sydney’s major zoos and wildlife parks to find your perfect animal adventure. Honestly… It’s impossible to not get your kids to want to go an indoor trampoline park. Especially not, Gravity X Indoor Trampoline Park, which is fun for the whole family!
From understanding the distilling process to choosing your own botanicals, a lot goes into making the perfect gin. Try it for yourself at some of Sydney’s distilleries, including Archie Rose and Manly Spirits Co. Take a cocktail-making class or simply just enjoy sampling some of the city’s spirits. Or for something a little different, head to Govinda's for movies and all-you-can-eat Indian food. A rainy day is the perfect excuse to enjoy some delicious ramen.